MAG Delayed until 2010?

Oh noes! Much-awaited (by me, at least) multiplayer war game MAG may be pushed back until 2010. Originally expected in November, retailers Gamefly and GameStop have both recently pushed back the expected MAG release date until early 2010.

A Sony Computer Entertainment spokesperson said "We haven't made any announcements in regards to the launch date, the retailers are just speculating."

If the game is actually a little behind schedule, I wouldn't be surprised. The hook of MAG (256 player battles) is a massive technical challenge, and it seems natural that getting it down pat might require extra time. This game will live and die by how well the online component works, since there is no single-player aspect of the game. But having played MAG, I can tell you that it looks like it will be worth the wait -- it's a very awesome game. Check out my extensive hands-on for gallons of details about this title.

I wonder how many game delays come about because the projected dates are chosen so they're close to the holiday-buying season, as opposed to being realistic representations of when games are finished. Does the date a game is released affect your decision to buy it? Are you more likely to get a game that comes out in November.